Not all graduate research courses and faculties require a pre-confirmation.

The pre-confirmation meeting is a good opportunity to:

ensure the membership of your advisory committee has been established, if not already established through an induction process

assist you to formulate a framework for your research, and estimate a time for its completion

identify activities of focus in preparation for the confirmation meeting

identify any challenges early on, or if additional skills or training are required (eg thesis writing skills training).

What happens?

Step 1

If your faculty requires you to complete a pre-confirmation, you will be emailed 12 weeks before your expected pre-confirmation meeting date. The email will be sent to your University student email account, and will include a link to your online pre-confirmation form

Step 2

A pre-confirmation meeting will be scheduled

Step 3

You will be required to complete your section of the online form at least five days before the scheduled meeting, attaching any required written work

Step 4

Your advisory committee (includes your supervisors) will then review your form and any attachments prior to the meeting

Step 5

You and your advisory committee hold the meeting

Step 6

Your advisory committee chair will complete the online form

Step 7

You’ll get an email from the University regarding the outcome of your pre-confirmation

Your advisory committee (includes your supervisors) receive regular emails with a summary of their students’ upcoming milestones (including your pre-confirmation), so they will be aware that they should expect your submitted form and arrange the meeting.

Preparing for pre-confirmation

Arrange your meeting

Your pre-confirmation meeting needs to be scheduled. Find out what the local practice is for arranging this from your supervisor or local graduate research administrator, as faculties and departments do this differently. We recommend that you ensure this meeting is booked well in advance.

Gather written work required for the meeting

The following will need to be prepared before the meeting so that you and your supervisors can have a meaningful discussion focussed on preparing you for confirmation.

A written thesis overview outlining your proposed project structure and research methodologies. Check if your faculty has preferences regarding the format in which this should be presented.

A research plan of your objectives to be achieved in the next six months, including timeframes for any coursework or regulatory requirements (eg ethics, police checks) to be completed.

Complete your section of the pre-confirmation form

You need to complete your section of the pre-confirmation form and attachments at least five days before your meeting date.

You will need the following information on hand to complete your section:

written work (as outlined above - attach to online form)

thoughts about your progress, including any successes or areas where challenges have arisen and where you may need assistance.

Once you have completed your section, your principal supervisor will complete their section of the online form ahead of the meeting.

What happens at the meeting?

The advisory committee (includes your supervisors) will assess whether you have a good grasp of your research field.

Your written communication skills will be discussed and future training may be recommended.

Your project plan and its potential to lead to you successfully completing will be discussed.

Support on developing goals for tasks that need to be completed for confirmation will be provided.

Frequency of meetings with your supervisors will be decided.

The members of your advisory committee are confirmed (if they have not been confirmed during an induction process).

The online pre-confirmation form will be completed by your advisory committee chair, including recording a recommendation for the outcome of the meeting.

Decisions made during the pre-confirmation meeting will be added into the online form by the chair of your advisory committee.

Outcomes of pre-confirmation

Your advisory committee (includes your supervisors) will recommend one of the following:

Find support

Your supervisors can help you determine if your project plan supports a successful completion of the thesis, and can suggest what academic skill development you will need. Speaking to your fellow students about your project and the methodology you intend to use in your research can be beneficial, and may give an idea if you are on the right track.

Your local graduate research administrator is available to steer you towards the resources available to support you in preparing for pre-confirmation and advise you on what your options are if changes need to be made to coursework or other changes to your candidature that can affect your confirmation date.

How to get help

Get technical help

Follow these steps to get help if you are having an issue with the online Pre-confirmation form.

Get advice

I've had my pre-confirmation - what's next?

The next big milestone for you is your confirmation. You would have seen your confirmation due date on your pre-confirmation form. Further professional development is available when preparing for confirmation.

The University provides many services and resources that will help you to progress in your research and candidature.